Reversible film camera with selectable exposure sizes

ABSTRACT

A camera and film are adapted to provide an increased number of exposures of selectable sizes. A plurality of fixed aperture internal masks provide selected image frame sizes and permit exposures along two separate rows across the width of the film. The paper film leader and spools are symmetrical to permit reversal of a roll of film after completing the first row of exposures. The roll is then reinserted for successive winding of the second row from the opposite end. External viewing masks of different sizes corresponding to the internal masks are provided. Two separate film advancing controls with automatic stop means may be mounted on opposite sides of the camera to accommodate selection of four different sizes and numbers of exposures. An interchangeable crank handle may be used to engage the winding mechanism from either side to advance the film, and exposure counters on both sides of the camera indicate the advance of each frame along each row of the film corresponding to the selected size.

July 25, 1972 REVERSIBLE FILM CAMERA WITH SELECTABLE EXPOSURE SIZESFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,028,002 2/1953 France "95/36 PrimaryExaminer-John M. Horan Al!0rneyEdwar'd Goldberg 57] ABSTRACT A cameraand film are adapted to provide an increased number of exposures ofselectable sizes. A plurality of fixed aperture internal masks provideselected image frame sizes and permit exposures along two separate rowsacross the width of the film. The paper film leader and spools aresymmetrical to permit reversal of a roll of film after completing thefirst row of exposures. The roll is then reinserted for successivewinding of the second row from the opposite end. External viewing masksof different sizes corresponding to the internal masks are provided. Twoseparate film advancing controls with automatic stop means may bemounted on opposite sides of the camera to accommodate selection of fourdifferent sizes and numbers of exposures. An interchangeable crankhandle may be used to engage the winding mechanism from either side toadvance the film, and exposure counters on both sides of the cameraindicate the advance of each frame along each row of the filmcorresponding to the selected size 12 Claims, 13 Drawing FiguresP'ATENTEDJUL 25 I972 SHEEI 2 0f 2 INVENTOR. ooMuv/c .5 Me: It 4 0 BYATTORNEY REVERSIBLE FILM CAMERA WITH SELECTABLE EXPOSURE SIZESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a manually operated roll film camera which is capable ofaccommodating greater numbers of exposures of different sizes andparticularly to a novel arrangement permitting selectable image framesizes along two rows of a reversible film strip.

2. Description of the Prior Art Previous manually operated roll filmcameras have utilized different fixed aperture masks to obtain variousexposure sizes such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,435, issued Apr. 19,1955, wherein the mask opening is one-half the normal length so thattwice the number of exposures may be taken on the same roll of film. Theuse of continuously variable apertured masks in both the focal plane andview finder were shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,104 issued June 24, 194],which also incorporates an automatic stop means and shutter release forthe film winding mechanism to indicate the ends of the selected portionof the exposing aperture. A further U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,021, issued Dec.13, 1966, indicates another adjustable movable mask to provide variouspicture sizes. However, these devices utilized only the full width ofthe film and the rolls were not reversible to permit two complete rowsof exposures to be taken along the two halves of the film width.

Reversible film rolls have been used previously in motion picturecameras, as shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,355,292, issued Nov. 28, l967, whichhas a continuously variable image frame mask and can take two rows ofexposures. The masks however are not select-ably insertable for use witha manually operated still film camera. U.S. Pat. No. 1,969,484, issuedAug. 7, 1934 and No. 3,008,660 dated Nov. 14, I961, likewise showreversible film rolls with two rows of motion pictures, but there do notindicate means for obtaining difierent exposure sizes and numbers. Thus,there is no presently available known manually operated still filmcamera which can provide selectable exposure sizes along two rows of areversible film while having means for advancing the film acorresponding length and for indicating the number of each exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the primary object of thepresent invention to provide a simplified manually operable still filmcamera which is capable of accommodating selectable image frame sizes ona reversible film roll with two rows of exposures and wherein means areprovided for manually advancing the film to correspond with the selectedsizes and to indicate the film advance of each frame along each row.

This is accomplished by a novel camera arrangement having a plurality ofselectable fixed aperture masks insertable adjacent the focal plane toapply a selected image frame or exposure size to successive portionsalong the film strip. The film is adapted to accommodate two rows ofexposures across the width and the film roll is reversible so that thetake-up spool afier completion of one row is interchanged with thesupply spool and rewound to successively expose the frames along thesecond row. Means are provided to manually advance the film inaccordance with the selected aperture length and to indicate the numberof exposures along each row.

Separate viewing masks provide corresponding aperture sizes for theviewing lens. In a preferred embodiment two separate film advancingcontrols having automatic stop means are mounted on opposite sides toprovide four selective exposure sizes and numbers. Additional objectsand advantages will become apparent from the following description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the novelcamera showing the film advancing means and exposure indicating means,

FIG. 2 is a back view of the camera with the cover removed to show thefilm spools, two manual film advancing means on opposite sides and aninternal aperture mask,

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show different sized aperture masks,

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show several film strips having different exposuresizes,

FIG. 10 is a top view of the camera showing a viewing mask,

FIG. II shows the exposure counter for indicating different numbers andsizes of exposures,

FIG. 12 shows a portion of a typical film stop mechanism, and

FIG. 13 shows a novel film spool which may be employed with the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a twin lensreflex type camera housing 10 includes a standard taking lens 12 with aninternal shutter mechanism, a front viewing lens 14, a manuallyrotatable film advancing handle or crank 16 and an exposure indicatingcounter 18. A suitable focusing mechanism, not shown, is also providedbut does not form an essential feature of the particular presentinvention. The film advancing handle is linked in a known manner bygearing to drive the film take-up spool 20, shown in FIG. 2. The filmroll in this camera is initially wound on supply spool 22 so that theleading end advances up over the back of the focal plane image frame 24and is wound onto the take-up spool 20 as handle I6 is turned in aclockwise direction, with both spools likewise rotating clockwise.

The camera is generally loaded by pulling out a spring loaded film spoolsupporter and removal knob 26 to permit insertion of a full roll of filmon spool 22 and/or removal of an empty spool. The knob is then releasedto snap back in place and hold the new roll in position for rotationabout its axis. The empty take-up spool is similarly inserted by pullingout support knob 27 and then releasing it. A pivotable viewing lid ortop cover 28 is raised to permit viewing of the scene or object to bephotographed by reflection from the front viewing lens via an internalmirror or prism to an upper lens positioned under the top cover. Thehandle and winding mechanism form a known film transport mechanismincluding an automatic stop device which advances the film the properlength for each exposure or image frame size and then stops the advanceuntil operation of the shutter mechanism releases the stop to permitcontinued film advancement after each exposure. Counter clockwiserotation of the handle cocks the shutter before the film is advanced inthe clockwise direction.

In the present invention, a plurality of selectable apertured masks 30are provided which are manually insertable to fit over the image frameportion 24 at the focal plane of the camera so that only a predeterminedarea of film is exposed when the shutter mechanism is operated and thescene is pro jected through the taking lens onto the film. By limitingthe exposed image frame area to one half the full width of the normalfilm, as shown by aperture mask 30, all of the succeeding exposures willfollow in one row along one side of the film as it is advanced. When thepredetermined number of exposures is completed, the film is completelywound onto the take-up spool which is then removed, reversed andinterchanged with the empty supply spool. The full roll is thusreinserted in place of the empty spool and becomes the supply spool sothat the film is now wound from the opposite end. While the sequence ofexposed film portions is reversed from the first row of exposures, thedirection of rotation of the roll and the position of the apertured maskis the same so that the opposite half of the film is now exposed insuccessive lengths to form a complete second row of reduced widthimages. Thus, twice the standard number of exposures can be accommodatedon the same roll of film. Since the usual film roll takes l2 exposures,this would mean doubling the number to accommodate 24 exposures on thetwo rows.

A further increase in exposures is obtained by utilizing apertured masksof reduced length. Thus, while the standard No.

120 size film roll is made to accept l2 exposures of approximately 2inches in length by 2 inches in width (2 X 2 inches), by selecting apredetermined shorter fixed length aperture of l 56 inches the number ofexposures along the film length is increased to 18. In combination withthe reduction in width to one half or 1 inch, as already described, twoseparate rows of l I: inches long by 1 inch wide masked image framesizes can provide 36 exposures on one film roll. The aperture mask 30shown in FIG. 2 and the corresponding rows of exposures on film shownpartially in FIG. 6 illustrate the use of a l 1% X 1 inch aperture andexposure size.

A still further increase in exposures can be obtained with a l X 1 inchaperture mask as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, which can provide 24exposures in each row for a total of 48 on the standard film roll thatordinarily accommodates l2. FIGS. 4 and 5 represent additional aperturedmasks 3i of l X 2 inches and 1 is X 2 inches which may be usedselectively to provide 24 or l8 exposures along the length of the filmroll while using the full width of the film, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,without double rows. As shown in FIG. 10, a corresponding plurality ofapertured viewing masks 32 are insertable over the upper viewing lens orwindow 34 so that the photographer may view the same scene that isprojected onto the film through the taking lens and focal plane mask. Anadded central area 36 in the viewing mask permits observation through acenter lens portion 37 which may be provided for a split image rangefinder.

The film winding or advancing handle [6 in conjunction with the exposurecounter 18 are used to advance the film the proper length correspondingto the selected aperture mask size. Thus, the exposure counter has threeselected scales or indices which are used with respective masks. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, the exposure counter disk is rotatable in acounterclockwise direction by suitable gearing in conjunction with thefilm winding handle, to indicate each exposure or frame number. Theinner scale from i to 12 will thus indicate the 12 standard 2 X 2 inchesexposures along the full length and width of the film without use of anysmaller aperture masks. The l to l8'scale indicates l8 exposures of l AX 2 inches using the full film width or 18 exposures of l is X 1 inchalong one half the film width. The same exposure scale is used againwhen the film is reversed and reinserted to indicate the second row ofl8 exposures along the second half of the film width, for a total of 36exposures on the full roll. The outer l to 24 scale is used with the l X2 inches mask to obtain 24 exposures along the full width or with the lX l inch mask to obtain 24 exposures on each half of the film for atotal of 48 exposures along the two rows. By sliding the apertured cover38 of exposure counter 18 over the selected scale portion correspondingwith the selected aperture mask size, each time the film handle isrotated to indicate another exposure number the film will automaticallybe advanced the proper length for each successive exposure of theselected size to obtain the desired total number of exposures. When tworows of exposures are to be taken, the film is reversed afier one row iscompleted and the process repeated with the exposure scale again set tostart from the first position.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, two separate likefilm advancing controls 40, 41, including like automatic stop devicesand like counters l8, 19, such as the one of FIG. 11, are disposed onopposite sides of the camera housing and each is connected to arespective side of the common spool. An interchangeable handle isadapted to engage controls 40 and 41 and wind the film from either side.The mechanism on each side independently and automatically controls theadvance of the film in accordance with two selective exposure sizeshaving the same exposure length and different widths. By using twodifferent aperture masks with each side, a total of four exposure sizeselections can be provided with the proper film length meteredautomatically. Thus, if handle [6 with the controls on the right side isset to advance the film l A inches in length, both a l V; X 2 inchessize exposure and aperture mask and a l A: X 1 inch exposure and maskcan be used with the same automatic stop setting to provide either 18full width exposures or 36 exposures in two rows after reversing thefilm. The same film handle I6 is inserted into the winding control 41 onthe other side which is set for a 1 inch length automatic advance topermit use of a l X 2 inches exposure size and mask as well as a l X 1inch exposure and mask. This would provide 24 full width exposures or 48exposures on two half width rows. Normally one mask, with one sidehaving the handle, is selected to use with an entire roll of film.

A typical automatic stop device incorporated with each film advancecontrol includes a well known ratchet wheel and lever mechanism such asshown in FIG. l2. Further details of these devices can be found inassembly diagrams of commercially available cameras. The film is thusautomatically advanced the proper length to accommodate the selectedmask and exposure size each time the handle is turned and is then lockedin position. After the next snap-shot is taken, the shutter releasemechanism then releases the film to permit further film movement by thehandle for the next metered length. This also advances the associatedexposure counter at the same time to indicate the corresponding numberof exposures until the roll is completed.

As shown in HQ [3, in order to facilitate reversal of the film roll andto permit driving of the roll from either side by the handle, the spools20,22 may be provided with male coupling extensions 42 which engagecorresponding slots in the housing and knobs 26, 27, instead of theusual members extending from the sides into slots in the spool. By usingextensions 42 in conjunction with spring loaded slots in the housing,the usual knobs 26, 27 can be entirely eliminated. In addition, thepaper leader ends of the film roll which engage the spools, such as end44 in FIG. 7, are made symmetrical to permit reversal of the supply andtake-up spools for winding the film from either end.

lt may thus be seen that the present invention provides a camera with aplurality of selectable exposure sizes and numbers wherein the film canbe reversed and automatically advanced to correspond with the selectedformat. While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described,it is to be understood that many variations may be made in theparticular design and configuration without departing from the scope ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A camera apparatus comprising a housing,

a reversible film supply spool rotatably mounted at one end of saidhousing, said supply spool being adapted to supply film from said oneend and being insertable into the opposite end for taking up film,

a reversible take-up spool substantially identical and interchangeablewith said supply spool and mounted at said opposite end of said housing,

a reversible film strip having symmetrical ends, said film strip beingwound on said supply spool and adapted for winding onto said take-upspool, said strip being disposed to accommodate two adjacentlongitudinal rows of exposures, each said row being positioned laterallyalong one half the width of said strip,

optical means for admitting and directing an external image onto aportion of said film strip to form an exposure thereon,

a plurality of individual selectable stationary apertured masks, eachmask having a different fixed aperture size and being manuallyinsertable adjacent the focal plane of said camera for exposingsuccessive longitudinal portions of a selected size along each said filmrow on one half the width of said strip,

means for manually advancing said film in successive lengthscorresponding to the selected exposed film portion size, and

an exposure counter having a plurality of selectable scalescorresponding to each said selected exposed film size for indicating thefilm advance of each exposed film portion of each row, said reversiblefilm supply spool and take-up spool being adapted to be reversed andinterchanged upon completion of a predetermined number of exposures onone film row and winding of the film onto said take-up spool, saidtake-up spool becoming said supply spool and said supply spool becomingsaid take-up spool for winding said film from the opposite end toprovide the second row of exposures.

2. The camera of claim I wherein each said mask includes one aperturedisposed in a fixed position over one half the width of said strip forexposing each film row in turn to the selected exposure size.

3. The camera of claim I wherein said masks are a plurality ofselectable apertured plates mounted in said housing at said focal planeadjacent said film to limit the size of said exposed film portions.

4. The camera of claim 3 wherein said film strip symmetrical ends areadapted for winding onto each spool from each end.

5. The camera of claim 4 wherein said exposure counter includes at leasttwo different exposure counting scales and means for selectivelydisplaying one of said scales.

6. The camera of claim 5 including means for viewing said external imagedirected onto said film strip and a second plurality of selectable fixedaperture masking means adapted to fit over said viewing means forviewing different selected fixed image sizes corresponding to the sizeof the selected film portion exposed by said first masking means.

7. The camera of claim 6 wherein said further plurality of masks includean aperture having an extension over a central area of said viewingmeans.

8. The camera of claim 6 including first and second manual filmadvancing means disposed on opposite sides of said housing, each filmadvancing means manually advancing said film in accordance withdifferent respective exposure sizes, and first and second automatic stopmeans for limiting the advance of respective said first and secondadvancing means in accordance with the selected exposure sizes, eachstop means having a different respective predetermined fixed length filmadvance limit.

9. The camera of claim 8 wherein each respective advancing means andassociated automatic stop means accommodates two exposure sizes of thesame length, one size being disposed across substantially the full widthof said film strip and the other across one half said width.

10. The camera of claim 8 including means for coupling each side of saidtake-up and supply spools to respective first and second advancing meansto permit each advancing me ans to drive said spools.

II. The camera of claim 8 including an interchangeable film windinghandle selectively engageable with said first and second film advancingmeans.

12. The camera of claim 8 including first and second exposure countersdisposed on said opposite sides for indicating the respective filmadvance of said first and second film advancing means.

i i I t

1. A camera apparatus comprising a housing, a reversible film supplyspool rotatably mounted at one end of said housing, said supply spoolbeing adapted to supply film from said one end and being insertable intothe opposite end for taking up film, a reversible take-up spoolsubstantially identical and interchangeable with said supply spool andmounted at said opposite end of said housing, a reversible film striphaving symmetrical ends, said film strip being wound on said supplyspool and adapted for winding onto said take-up spool, said strip beingdisposed to accommodate two adjacent longitudinal rows of exposures,each said row being positioned laterally along one half the width ofsaid strip, optical means for admitting and directing an external imageonto a portion of said film strip to form an exposure thereon, aplurality of individual selectable stationary apertured masks, each maskhaving a different fixed aperture size and being manually insertableadjacent the focal plane of said camera for exposing successivelongitudinal portions of a selected size along each said film row on onehalf the width of said strip, means for manually advancing said film insuccessive lengths corresponding to the selected exposed film portionsize, and an exposure counter having a plurality of selectable scalescorresponding to each said selected exposed film size for indicating thefilm advance of each exposed film portion of each row, said reversiblefilm supply spool and take-up spool being adapted to be reversed andinterchanged upon completion of a predetermined number of exposures onone film row and winding of the film onto said take-up spool, saidtake-up spool becoming said supply spool and said supply spool becomingsaid take-up spool for winding said film from the opposite end toprovide the second row of exposures.
 2. The camera of claim 1 whereineach said mask includes one aperture disposed in a fixed position overone half the width of said strip for exposing each film row in turn tothe selected exposure size.
 3. The camera of claim 1 wherein said masksare a plurality of selectable apertured plates mounted in said housingat said focal plane adjacent said film to limit the size of said exposedfilm portions.
 4. The camera of claim 3 wherein said film stripsymmetrical ends are adapted for winding onto each spool from each end.5. The camera of claim 4 wherein said exposure counter includes at leasttwo different exposure counting scales and means for selectivelydisplaying one of said scales.
 6. The camera of claim 5 including meansfor viewing said external image directed onto said film strip and asecond plurality of selectable fixed aperture masking means adapted tofit over said viewing means for viewing different selected fixed imagesizes corresponding to the size of the selected film portion exposed bysaid first masking means.
 7. The camera of claim 6 wherein said furtherplurality of masks include an aperture having an extension over acentral area of said viewing means.
 8. The camera of claim 6 includingfirst and second manual film advanciNg means disposed on opposite sidesof said housing, each film advancing means manually advancing said filmin accordance with different respective exposure sizes, and first andsecond automatic stop means for limiting the advance of respective saidfirst and second advancing means in accordance with the selectedexposure sizes, each stop means having a different respectivepredetermined fixed length film advance limit.
 9. The camera of claim 8wherein each respective advancing means and associated automatic stopmeans accommodates two exposure sizes of the same length, one size beingdisposed across substantially the full width of said film strip and theother across one half said width.
 10. The camera of claim 8 includingmeans for coupling each side of said take-up and supply spools torespective first and second advancing means to permit each advancingmeans to drive said spools.
 11. The camera of claim 8 including aninterchangeable film winding handle selectively engageable with saidfirst and second film advancing means.
 12. The camera of claim 8including first and second exposure counters disposed on said oppositesides for indicating the respective film advance of said first andsecond film advancing means.